Right to work

If eligible, international students can work up to 20 hours a week whilst studying in the UK. But before you head off to find a job, you need to know what your terms of employment may be.

When overseas students come to study in the UK, they might reasonably expect that the most complicated thing they’ll have to get to grips with is their degree, but often they need to work whilst studying, which means they have to get to grips with the terms of employment too.

For Chaiwat Yoonoo from Thailand the complexities of his PhD in Chemical Engineering paled into insignificance compared to understanding the National Insurance system. ‘Some employers say to you that they will not employ you unless you have a National Insurance number, but then you phone the National Insurance people and they say they won’t give you a number unless you have the job. It’s most confusing. Fortunately, I’ve figured it out now and I have my number!’

Can I work?

For international students like Chaiwat, the question of whether they can work while they are studying is often important as it gives them a chance to earn extra money and gain work experience in another culture before returning home. One key question concerning working is whether a student is allowed to work during their stay in the UK. Fortunately, this now has a very simple answer.

After undergoing the immigration procedure, you will have a sticker on your passport which will say one of three things. It will either read “Work (and any changes) must be authorised” or “Able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State”. In either of these cases you can undertake work. If your sticker says “No work” then it would be a breach of immigration status and a criminal offence to take work. So before checking the jobs board at your university careers service or the jobs board at your students’ union, make sure you know your work status.

Providing you are allowed to work whilst studying then there are some stipulations you must observe. Firstly, the limit for working hours is 20 hours per week during term-time which is extended to full-time hours during holidays. The 20 hour per week rule is not an average duration though – it’s a maximum number of hours.

Chaiwat advises this is important to observe for more than one reason: ‘I would say that on average I work for about 10 to 15 hours per week doing both of my jobs as a teaching assistant in my university and as a steward at Manchester City Football Club, but it’s very important that you do not go over that limit for legal reasons. Equally though, it’s important because it could easily affect your studies. It’s not easy combining work and studying but it can be managed and the money and experience is important.’

Skills for employment

Within both of his roles Chaiwat says that he has learned valuable lessons. As a teacher he furthers his knowledge of his subject and as a safety steward for Manchester City he gets paid £6 an hour to give people directions and answer any questions they may have, which helps with language skills, as well as allowing him to experience the match.

For students working in the UK there are actually few limitations as to the type of work you can undertake. It’s unlikely you’ll be making a living as an entertainer or a professional sportsman (two categories that are forbidden for students) but more relevant is the rule that says you cannot be self-employed.

Your employer should be able to help you with aspects of your employment, such as getting a National Insurance number and paying income tax but if you have questions then your international society or students union will be able to advise you.

Despite Chaiwat’s experience, getting a National Insurance (NI) number is relatively easy and once you have work simply call 0845 600 0643 and ask for an appointment which will take place at your local job centre. Another issue which sometimes confuses students is income tax paid on earnings. If you earn less than a stated amount (for 2008-2009 this will be £5,435) then you will not have to pay any income tax but it might be arranged by your employer that it will automatically be paid on any earnings and you then claim back the tax you have paid. Again, your students’ union or international society should be able to help with any issues arising.

Chaiwat says that his experience of working in the UK has been very positive and that other international students who come from outside of the European Union shouldn’t feel daunted about trying to earn while they learn. ‘There are a lot of employment opportunities in the UK and I would say it’s quite easy ultimately to learn how the system works and there is lots of advice through your university and international team. When I came to the UK I entered solely as student and didn’t have any real intentions to do paid work because I am a sponsored student but when I saw the opportunities that were available I thought it was too good to miss!’

Further information:

UKCOSA: The Council for International Education
9-17 St Albans Place, London  N1 0NX
Tel: 020 7288 4330
www.ukcosa.org.uk

Suggestions to editorial@prospects.ac.uk